SYNOPSIS:
Academy Award(R)-winning actor Al Pacino (SCENT OF A WOMAN) stars in this heart-warming, critically acclaimed motion picture about a boy, his grandfather, and the lucky quarter that brings them together. Gennaro is a youngster who'll do anything to earn "two bits" -- a quarter -- to get into the brand-new neighborhood movie theater. It's a magical place where dreams can come true, but after a day of unforgettable adventures he finds his pockets are still empty ... until his mischievous grandpa (Pacino) offers him an intriguing bargain! Also featuring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (THE PERFECT STORM), TWO BITS is a lively coming-of-age story everyone is sure to love!
MOVIE REVIEW:
This reviewer remembers commenting about the state of dated movies making their way to DVDs in a review not too long ago. And as fate would have it, he holds in his hand a disc featuring a much younger (you should see how haggard the veteran actor looks these days) Al Pacino on the cover. It tells us that the movie also stars Jerry Barone and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Huh? Who are they again?). So, the inquisitive character in us just had to do some research about this film, and if you thought releasing a 2005 movie in the local market is something to shout about, you’d be even more surprised that this one dates a decade back – to 1995!
That explains why Oscar winner Pacino looked so young in this very likeable movie about a young boy who longs to buy a ticket to watch a movie in the new theatre in town. The acclaimed actor plays his dying grandfather who promises to give him his last quarter to buy that ticket. Together with a widowed woman and a mysterious past that he must find a closure to, the old man’s last day in this hot and sunny town will be one that impacts many people’s lives.
The moment this 80 minute film begins, it engages you with a meaningful and thoughtful voiceover which says how dust not only makes you sneeze, but see the sunlight in its true beauty. This sets a tone for the rest of the movie, bringing you on a charming journey of a boy going on a series of adventures to attain the dream of watching that one movie in the new cinema. A story like this one is bound to keep the sentimental side of you smiling throughout the film.
You feel for the boy as he goes through different trials and tribulations to get to that end point when he finally watches a movie in the theatre in awe (you weren’t expecting a sad ending where he doesn’t fulfil his dreams, were you?). And at the end of all these, you’d also have learnt some life lessons about growing old and getting closures in life. Couple these with some well written and poetic quotes, and you’d have a pleasing film suitable for all demographics.
The production values of this nostalgic picture aren’t too bad either. You can expect some impressive cinematography, a touching music score and an authentic art direction reflecting the good looking era that was 1930s. With uplifting performances put in by child actor Barone as the amiable boy and Elizabeth Mastrantonio as the widow, this is one fine and timeless picture that will have you enjoying from beginning to end.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
This Code 3 DVD contains no extra features.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The visual transfer isn’t exactly top notch because of the age of the film, and you can watch it in either its original English audio track or in a finely dubbed French audio track.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING:
Review by John Li
Posted on 30 August 2009
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